Leslie Ashbaugh

Leslie considered herself a crock-potter and definitely not an excellent cook. She really shouldn’t be written up here at all, but nobody ever said life is fair. She had a dislike for ignorant voters, chit-chat, email, and the sound of ringing cell phones. In turn, she loved Chickadees in her yard, a walk in Central Park or Seward Park (or any park, in fact), New York City, sushi, Christmas and pie. She was an excellent friend and in turn attracted incredible much beloved friends for one-on one time, usually for a run and definitely for a walk. After her mother (Frankie) died, she grew up as the daughter of a single father (Don) whom she adored. Her sister (Sheri) also passed away. Stepmother (Pam) and sister (Kelly) joined the family as college loomed. Once through with college, she never stopped moving, living in all of the major cities in the U.S., just for fun, and visiting over 30 countries with a pack on her back. She ultimately pursued a PhD at Northwestern University in Anthropology, which she loved for its natural interdisciplinary methods. Her expertise was in Zambia, where she also escorted dozens of UW students to visit and where she instantly fell in love with the dirt, the cultures, the people she met, and its hardiness. Leslie had two children, Peter (age 21) and Elly (age 19) whom she raised well in a boisterous household with the love of her life, Jason French, and lots of humor, memorable dogs (Jakie Boy, Bailey Girl, Obie the Dobie, Abby the Dobie, Winston Churchill, the Frenchie) and a formidable cat (Chairman Meow). She completely enjoyed her life, from frugal traveler to mother to Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Achievement at the University of Washington, Bothell and was lucky to have always loved what she was doing when she was doing it.

Leslie died from complications from an aggressive form of skin cancer, Melanoma, after an ugly, difficult, private and not-so-courageous tearful battle that went on for an eternity thanks to the dedication and brains of Dr. Hank Kaplan. At her request, her family will hold a small private memorial service. Donations may be made to the Leslie Ashbaugh Student Support Fund at the University of Washington Bothell; Attn: UW Bothell, Box 358528; 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell WA 98011.